Italy's regions approved just 1% of solar power projects in 2022

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 23 - In 2022 Italy's regions authorized just 1% of projects to create photovoltaic plants and none to create wind farms according to a report by environmental association Legambiente, presented on Thursday.
    The report 'Checkmate for renewables' presented at the K.EY energy transition fair in Rimini claims that by failing to approve green energy projects the regional authorities are thwarting government efforts to facilitate the energy transition.
    In 2019, 41% of applications to create solar power plants received the green light at regional level, falling to 19% in 2020 and to 9% in 2021.
    On-shore wind farms fared even worse, with 6% of permits granted in 2019, 4% in 2020 and 1% in 2021.
    There are currently 1,364 renewable energy plants awaiting state authorization, of which 76% in Puglia, Basilicata, Sicily and Sardinia.
    In order to boost the development of renewables in Italy, Legambiente proposes updating the guidelines for authorizing new plants, which date to 2010, and a new comprehensive law regulating the authorization process and clearly defining roles and responsibilities and time frames. (ANSA).